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PPC building three battery storage facilities in Greece

PPC Group has launched the construction of a battery energy storage system in the area of its Amyntaio coal plant. The company is also building BESS facilities at its thermal power plants Kardia and Meliti, as it is preparing to end coal use in Greece. One BESS unit is under construction in Bulgaria, as well. In Romania, PPC is expanding its wind park project Deleni, which would bring its operational portfolio in the country to over 1.5 GW.

Public Power Corp. – PPC Group is investing in energy storage in Greece and surrounding countries, complementing its solar and wind power investments and contributing to the transformation of coal regions. The government-controlled utility revealed that its future battery energy storage system near the Amyntaio coal plant in the Western Macedonia region is under construction.

The new station will consist of batteries with 50 MW in operating power and a duration of four hours, translating to a capacity of 200 MWh. Wholly-owned subsidiary PPC Renewables is responsible for the project. It is for liquid-cooled batteries of the LFP (lithium iron phosphate) technology.

The construction of two more electrochemical storage stations is already underway in the same northern region, in the areas of the Kardia and Meliti thermal power plants, the company pointed out. Their combined capability would be 98 MW, for 196 MWh in capacity.

Western Macedonia region to host 860 MW of energy storage

The role of energy storage units for the system is critical, as they aim to support the operation of adjacent photovoltaic power plants and contribute to the stability of the electricity system, PPC Group added. It is planning 860 MW of energy storage in the Western Macedonia coal region. The company said it would create 1,300 jobs in the construction phase and hundreds during operation.

Two pumped storage hydropower projects are included in the portfolio. The one that would transform the Kardia mine is for 320 MW and eight hours, and the facility at the South Field mine would have 240 MW and a 12-hour duration. PPC Group said it has completed the permitting process for the latter.

Solar power plants of 2.13 GW in northern Greece nearing completion

Earlier this month, the utility said its solar power projects in Western Macedonia of 2.13 GW overall are moving ahead at a fast pace and within schedule, in areas around coal plants Ptolemaida, Kardia, Agios Dimitrios and Amyntaio. Overall, upon their completion, the photovoltaic clusters in the region, largest ones in the entire Europe, will generate almost 3.15 TWh of electricity per year, the company added.

Coal land in the Western Macedonia region is turning into endless solar parks

It is equivalent to over 6% of the annual energy consumption in the Greek mainland. Utilising the land of the former lignite mines of Ptolemaida, Kardia, and Agios Dimitrios, PV plants totaling 1.19 GW are being installed, of which 90% is complete and some is in operation.

The clusters include PPC Group’s flagship project, of 550 MW. It would be the biggest facility of its kind in Southeastern Europe excluding Turkey.

In cooperation with the German company RWE, the construction of photovoltaic plants in Amyntaio of 940 MW overall is also advancing rapidly toward completion, the latest update reads.

Advancing investments in Bulgaria, Romania

In addition, the company said it is building a BESS unit of 25 MW and 55 MWh in neighboring Bulgaria.

As for other recent news, PPC said it is expanding its Deleni wind park project in Vaslui county in northwest Romania. The first phase, 140 MW, is supposed to be completed by the end of the year. The addition would amount to 85 MW, consisting of 14 turbines, the Greek company added.

The site is at the Bogdănița commune. With the 225 MW in Deleni, PPC in Romania would reach 1.5 GW in operational capacity.

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Enery, SmartPulse launch regional partnership for multi-market optimization

Austrian green energy producer Enery and Turkish software company SmartPulse have entered a strategic partnership to deliver advanced solutions for the management and trading of renewable energy and storage assets. The collaboration aims to amplify market results for renewable energy producers and battery owners, while strengthening integration into the regional energy markets.

Enery Portfolio Optimization (EPO) – the licensed power trader of Enery managing a portfolio of over 750 MW of renewables assets and 700 MWh of battery capacity, will enhance its services through SmartPulse’s multi-market optimization platform, which automates trading, delivers real-time dispatch, and provides analytics and forecasting. The Turkish software company’s services coupled with EPO’s market know-how accelerate revenue growth and strengthen financial outcomes, according to the announcement.

The combined offering will be available for standalone and co-located storage assets on the Romanian market as part of a wider regional partnership. The platform aims to ensure the highest profitability from day-ahead, intraday and ancillary services markets, while ensuring the optimal physical dispatch of the asset, the Austrian company pointed out.

Balancing group members gain access to market opportunities

The service captures the full spectrum of financial arbitrage opportunities, reserve and balancing energy market participation to maximize revenue potential, Enery added. By joining its balancing group, renewables producers and battery storage owners gain access to all markets opportunities, reduced balancing costs, and 24/7 monitoring and trading through an artificial intelligence–powered platform, the update reads.

The offering in Romania will be part of a wider regional partnership

“Our international expertise in storage and renewables optimisation combined with SmartPulse’s innovative platform allows us to be more flexible and deliver tailored solutions for each asset. This partnership ensures that our Romanian clients will receive the highest quality services and optimised profitability from their assets,” said Enery’s Head of Energy Trading Petya Dimova.

Romania is among most dynamic power markets in Europe

The two companies stressed that they are bringing international experience and know-how in optimizing the value of large-scale renewables and storage assets to the Romanian market. The joint approach ensures clients can focus on business development, operations, and maintenance, while entrusting the financial realization of their electricity to expert hands, they said.

“Romania is one of the most dynamic power markets in Europe, and we are proud to make it a priority in our growth journey. By partnering with Enery, we bring our technology together with their strong local expertise to deliver advanced optimization and trading solutions,” Head of Global Growth at SmartPulse Uygar Yörük stated.

Enery, an independent power producer, operates a diversified portfolio of 511 MW and has 212 MW under construction. Its development pipeline amounts to almost 10 GW across 10 countries in Central and Eastern Europe. In the region that Balkan Green Energy News covers, the company is active in Romania, Bulgaria and Slovenia.

SmartPulse, founded in 2018 in Istanbul, focuses on short-term power trading automation. The firm has just been acquired by Volue.

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Bulgaria’s coal regions to get further EUR 808 million for just transition

Bulgaria’s coal regions will receive BGN 1.58 billion (EUR 808 million) through the Just Transition program, under the European Union’s Just Transition Fund (JTF), for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green hydrogen projects, as well as for converting mining areas for commercial use.

With a EUR 598 million program already underway, total investments in the economic transformation during and after the country’s coal phaseout would reach EUR 1.38 billion. They cover coal regions Stara Zagora, Kyustendil, and Pernik and the municipalities of Nova Zagora, Yambol, Simeonovgrad, Harmanli, Topolovgrad, Dimitrovgrad, Haskovo, Elhovo, Sliven and Tundzha.

Grants from the JTF are intended to help coal regions shut down mines and coal-fired power plants, rehabilitate land, switch to a circular and climate-neutral economy, and lift households out of energy poverty.

By the end of the year, the Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works will launch three new procedures for the allocation of grants, according to Deputy Minister Yura Vitanova.

One, worth EUR 153.4 million, will focus on energy communities and energy efficiency in public buildings. Another, worth EUR 72.6 million, will help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) install solar panels and energy storage systems for both self-consumption and commercial use.

A third call, with a budget of EUR 242.9 million, will support the socio-economic transformation, including projects to convert mining areas into business and industrial zones.

Green hydrogen projects will be backed with EUR 134.5 million

Additionally, EUR 134.5 million will be used to fund the development of hydrogen production and transportation infrastructure in Stara Zagora. It includes the construction of a green hydrogen production complex and hydrogen charging stations, the procurement of hydrogen vehicles and hydrogen trailers, and the construction of supporting infrastructure, including photovoltaic systems and energy storage facilities.

The current JTF program in Bulgaria’s coal regions focuses on renovating residential buildings, supporting SMEs, and developing industrial and logistics parks. It also funds training and retraining programs for workers affected by the energy transition, as well as production investments in large enterprises.

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Shanghai Electric becomes contractor for Romania’s largest solar park with batteries

Israeli company Econergy, owner of the largest photovoltaic park in Romania, has selected Shanghai Electric as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for a facility with a two times higher capacity and a 150 MW battery energy storage system.

After building the solar park in Romania’s Brașov county for Econergy, Shanghai Electric also won the contract for Părău 2. “Building on our successfully completed projects in Romania, we aim to further strengthen our presence across Central and Eastern Europe and deliver tailored solutions that accelerate Romania’s energy transformation,” Chairman of Shanghai Electric Group Wu Lei said.

The company’s photovoltaics portfolio in the country has reached 550 MW, according to the update. The investor behind Părău and Părău 2 is Israel-based Econergy. The first part, of 91.4 MW in peak capacity, was commissioned a year ago.

Econergy operates Romania’s largest solar park, Rătești. It has 155 MW in peak capacity. Părău 2 is for 342 MW, together with a 150 MW battery energy storage system (BESS).

Shanghai Electric is the EPC contractor for Econergy’s four PV parks, of which two are already operational

The investment is valued at EUR 275 million altogether. Părău 2, on 337 hectares in central Romania, has won a 15-year contract for difference (CfD) in December at the country’s first round of renewable energy auctions.

Econergy bid EUR 49.4 per MWh for 125 MW in connection terms or 150 MW in peak capacity. It was the biggest project on the list. The developer expects to put it into operation in 2027.

The solar park will supply both residential and commercial users, according to Shanghai Electric. Its Romanian portfolio includes Econergy’s Scurtu Mare 56 MW photovoltaic plant, which was provisionally cleared for the start of operations in June. Another one is the Ovidiu project for the same client, with 60 MW in peak capacity under construction.

Econergy has hinted that it could invite a partner for Părău 2. The Israeli company noted that it normally holds a 49% or 50% stake in Romania. It revealed that it could pick a previous partner such as Phoenix, headquartered in Israel, or RGreen Invest, a French investment fund.

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First merchant battery projects in Greece to be highly profitable, study shows

Standalone battery units in Greece are expected to be profitable both in the short and the long term, according to a new study by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh).

The results were based on a simulation carried out for a variety of battery types, with storage durations between two and five hours. A maximum of two charge-discharge cycles per day was taken into account.

The study concerns merchant projects that rely exclusively on the market for their profitability. This means that they can generate revenue in three ways: through the daily arbitrage between the lowest and highest hourly wholesale power prices, from balancing the system and providing reserves.

Storage duration determines revenues

In the case of a battery with a capability of 10 MW and five hours of storage, the results showed a revenue of EUR 2.6 million in 2026. The amount falls after 2030 to EUR 1.6 million, which is still sufficient for investments. It remains near the same level all the way to 2037.

Revenues for a 10 MW facility with a two-hour duration are much lower. They begin at EUR 1.5 million in 2026 and decline to EUR 800,000 after 2030.

Projects will rely mostly on arbitrage after 2028

In comparison, a 10 MW project costs between EUR 2.5 and EUR 5 million to develop, depending on storage duration, according to current battery prices. Therefore, it is evident that investors would return the investment in less than 10 years. Typical systems have an operational life expectancy of 20-25 years.

“Batteries will benefit initially from high revenues through balancing and reserves provision. After the first few years, they will rely mostly on arbitrage,” said Pantelis Biskas, professor at AUTh.

Greece published a plan earlier this year to develop 4.7 GW in commercial battery storage systems. Businesses are currently moving to secure licenses and the first installations are expected to come online by 2028.

It means the projects will probably miss the initial high returns that AUTh expects. However, they will still be profitable, especially the ones with long storage duration.

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Domac: No energy transition without much stronger grid investments

Croatia is investing only half as much in the electricity network as Slovenia and Austria, said Managing Director of North-West Croatia Regional Energy and Climate Agency (REGEA) Julije Domac. He warned that without an acceleration in grid investments, there are no renewable sources and no energy transition.

Croatia is about to overcome one of the biggest obstacles to investments in green energy, with its proposed methodology for the grid connection fee. However, there are several more bottlenecks in the sector, and they mostly also concern the electricity network.

The grid is apparently not among priority segments in Croatia, which depends to a large extent on electricity imports. The situation is similar throughout the Balkans and Europe, and beyond, and the basic question is who will cover the expenses as well as which projects are the most important for enabling the deployment of renewables. Among other difficulties, the administrative capacity for permitting for grid improvements and expansion is too weak, alongside complex environmental and spatial planning requirements.

Managing Director of REGEA Julije Domac outlined his view on the matter in a LinkedIn post. “Without an electricity network, there are no grid connections, no RES, no transition… There is more than 13 GW of solar and wind power projects under development today, but the network cannot integrate it without accelerated investments,” he wrote.

Photo: Julije Domac (REGEA)

Grid operators reacting with emergency measures instead of long-term strategy

The free capacity in the power distribution grid is estimated at 3.7 GW, but a large part is in areas with low interest for investing, Domac pointed out. Of note, he is also Croatian President Zoran Milanović’s special advisor on energy and climate.

“In the coastal area and Dalmatia, where the resources are the best, the network is near the maximum load in many parts – it means a malfunction of one element could jeopardize the system’s stability. To avoid that, the operators are already often turning to emergency measures in dispatching now: shutting down parts of the network, redirecting flows, pausing works. It is ‘putting out fires’ – and not a long-term strategy,” the head of REGEA said.

The regulated income from tariffs limits investments as the transition’s urgency isn’t acknowledged

Domac stressed that Croatia is investing less than EUR 20 per customer per year, only half as much as Slovenia and Austria. In his opinion, the tariff-based methodology is limiting investments. Namely, Croatian Transmission System Operator (HOPS) and HEP-ODS, the national distribution system operator, are funded through regulated income under the Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency (HERA), and the mechanism doesn’t acknowledge the urgency of the transition, according to the energy expert.

Another point is delayed digitalization, as Croatia has a much lower share of smart meters than neighboring Slovenia, where it surpassed 99%, or Italy, where the level is around 95%, he underscored. There is no domestic market for flexibility and no contracts with batteries and with consumers that could help ease the pressure on the grid, Domac claims.

In addition, he highlighted the sluggish grid connection procedure, saying it lasts ten years for wind power plants and four years for photovoltaics, the most in all European Union.

Grid connection costs can be covered with EU funding, green bonds

Domac is recommending to the authorities to introduce temporary connection points, with a controlled power delivery – limited until network enhancements are completed. HERA did envisage such a possibility in its draft methodology.

The grid connection fee for renewable electricity plants should be abolished, which was already promised, Domac recalled. It is an obstacle blocking 60 projects for 3.5 GW in total, he noted. It is the grid operator that should bear the cost and, aside from the tariff items, it can finance them through EU funds and green bonds, like most member states do, Domac added.

He expressed the belief that ten or so most important grid interventions should be accelerated – transformer stations and transmission lines in particular and especially in Dalmatia. Pilot projects for batteries and flexibility would pave the way for more grid connections without the wires, and public procurements need to be streamlined as well for works worth up to EUR 1 million, for instance, so that the replacement of one transformer doesn’t last twelver months, Domac asserted.

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Webinar summary: How to design PV and BESS in the Balkans faster and smarter with RatedPower software

RatedPower, a leading provider of software for PV plant and BESS design and engineering, has organized a webinar to present its solutions that make it faster and easier for developers and contractors to design and build PV and battery storage facilities, helping increase their efficiency and profitability. The online event included a step-by-step demonstration of how RatedPower’s cloud-based software tool creates simulations of PV plants, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and hybrid facilities to assess costs, performance, and profitability under various scenarios. The hosts also answered questions such as whether the software can be used for rooftop solar, how it accounts for terrain, what financial aspects it considers, and how user-friendly it is for non-technical staff. A recording of the webinar is available at this link.

The webinar opened with an overview of the main challenges that solar and BESS projects face in the Balkans, but also elsewhere in the world. These include a lack of collaboration between teams, difficulty finding investors for projects in the ready-to-build stage, insufficient documentation needed for permitting, lengthy manual calculations, and poor decision-making in feasibility studies.

Addressing common challenges in the Balkans

RatedPower was created precisely to address these problems, and today it provides services for a wide range of companies in the solar and BESS market, including well-known international players, it was explained at the webinar, hosted by Emil Trepin, Account Executive at RatedPower.

The company decided to expand to the Balkans because it is one of the fastest-growing regions in Europe when it comes to renewable energy projects. This, it was explained, is thanks to energy transition efforts, grid modernization, investment momentum, and state support for renewables across the region.

Much more than an engineering tool

RatedPower, part of Enverus, a global software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform for the energy sector, offers a cloud-based tool for designing ground-mounted PV plants of 1 MW and above, and up to 3-4 GW, as well as hybrid systems (PV plus BESS) and standalone battery storage projects.

The platform creates the fastest simulations in the industry, reducing design and engineering time by up to 90%, while helping increase project profitability by about 20%. It generates over 400 pages of ready-to-use documents, including bills of quantities, single-line diagrams, business plans, and much more.

The tool reduces design and engineering time by up to 90%

RatedPower’s software is much more than an engineering tool – it is a decision-making platform that combines the simulation of technical design, energy yield, and financial analysis, according to the hosts.

A step-by-step demonstration of how the platform works

During the demonstration, Matteo Menazzi, Technical Advisor at RatedPower, explained how the platform is used in practice. Since it is cloud-based, it can be accessed from any web browser and used simultaneously by several people working on the same project or on multiple projects.

The first step is to select a location on the map, taking into account various restrictions, such as roads, forests, and archaeological sites, and then add PV arrays, BESS, and other equipment.

Equipment, such as PV modules or battery containers, is selected from a pre-filled database or uploaded manually. The software then creates a full simulation in a matter of seconds, allowing users to test different modules or equipment and compare results.

Solar modules, batteries, and other equipment can be selected from a pre-filled database

In the layout phase, users can set the distance between rows, adapt the configuration to the terrain slope, and estimate the scope and cost of necessary earthworks.

The software also allows the customization of grid connection parameters, including voltage levels and line types (underground or overhead). It then automatically estimates substation size and electrical losses, and calculates the necessary cable lengths.

It calculates the amount of electricity that can be produced and injected into the grid, as well as financial performance. In addition, a large number of documents is automatically generated – from hourly energy yield and battery performance results to lists of necessary cables, bills of quantities, and 2D and 3D drawings.

Designs can be edited and saved as templates for future projects

It is important to note that any design created with the RatedPower software can be edited by moving, adding, or removing elements. Also, all inputs can be saved as a template, which can be used for another project, saving considerable time.

Designing battery storage systems with RatedPower

When it comes to batteries, users can choose a power conversion system and battery containers from the database, define the number of BESS blocks and their layout, and adjust the distances between containers to comply with fire safety regulations. They can also customize charging and discharging efficiency and use the optimization algorithm to adjust operations for maximum profitability.

It is also possible to choose between a fixed and a variable price. For variable prices, the software will upload the day-ahead price for the relevant market or allow users to upload their own price. The tool will also recommend the most profitable time to sell electricity.

Users can also choose whether to charge the batteries only from the PV plant or from the grid as well.

The software provides project cost estimates based on standard values or the user’s input

In the financial segment, RatedPower’s software will estimate the total cost of building a PV plant or battery system, based on standard values provided by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

However, input values can also be fully customized by the user, based on the price of solar modules, BESS units, or cables.

If you want to know more about RatedPower’s software, request a demo today.

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Croatia allocates EUR 50 million for prosumers in business sector to install BESS

Croatia has allocated EUR 50 million to support businesses in installing batteries for storing energy from their existing solar power plants or ones they plan to install.

In recent years, many companies all over Europe have installed solar panels for self-consumption to reduce electricity costs. But battery energy storage systems (BESS) offer additional benefits for such prosumers.

Now Croatia’s Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development has launched a public call for the allocation of grants to firms.

Small, medium, and large entrepreneurs are eligible to apply

The goal is to enable entrepreneurs to store the energy produced in their power plants and use it when it is most needed – delivering it to the grid later or for their own consumption.

The call is financed by funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). Small, medium, and large entrepreneurs are eligible to submit applications. The deadline is January 31, 2026.

The ministry’s goal is to continue investments in the power system, thereby ensuring the integration of an increasing amount of energy from renewable sources.

BESS has numerous advantages over other technologies: high efficiency, adaptability, reliability, economic viability, and fast response, the call reads.

The call targets installation of batteries with a total capacity of 60 MWh

All applicants must specify concrete benefits that would be achieved by implementing the project in their bids.

BESS projects with a total capacity of at least 60 MWh could be installed by the end of the second quarter of 2026, according to the call.

New energy storage capacities would significantly increase the flexibility and resilience of the domestic power system, the ministry said.

The minimum subsidy amount per project is EUR 60,000, and the highest is EUR 1.5 million. The minimum storage capacity eligible for grant is 1 MWh per facility.

Of note, Croatia has already implemented a call for the installation of batteries in firms.

However, the subsidies were allocated for joint installation of renewable power plants and batteries.

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Repono acquires BESS project for 404 MWh in Romania

Swedish energy storage operator Repono has completed the acquisition of a 202 MW / 404 MWh battery energy storage system project located in Romania’s Argeș county.

Romania has become one of the most active markets for battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in South East Europe.

Developed by a domestic firm, the Argeș project reached a ready-to-build stage, Repono said. The investment benefits from a grid connection contract with the country’s transmission system operator Transelectrica. The entry point is the 220 kV Pitești substation, northwest of Bucharest.

Once operational, it will be among the largest grid-scale storage assets in Southeast Europe, capable of storing and releasing enough energy to supply more than 120,000 four-person households during peak-demand periods, according to the company.

The partnership with local developers includes a framework for additional energy storage projects

A partnership with local developers is set to drive significant future growth for the firm, based in Sweden.

It includes a framework for additional energy storage projects across Romania with a combined capacity of up to 1.4 GW, reinforcing Repono’s long-term commitment to the market, the update reads.

“This transaction represents an important milestone for Repono AB and demonstrates our continued commitment to developing large-scale storage infrastructure that supports Europe’s energy transition,” CEO Karim Nils Grueber stated.

De Kool: Large-scale storage assets are key enablers of a stable European power system

The Argeș project’s market optimization will be handled by Gunvor, in collaboration with Vienna-based optimiser Enspired. They are tasked with managing the energy offtake and market strategy to ensure the BESS is efficiently integrated into the Romanian and regional power markets.

According to Harmen de Kool, Chairman of the Board of Repono and a representative of InnoEnergy, large-scale storage assets like the one in Argeș are key enablers of a stable and decarbonized European power system.

It further fortifies InnoEnergy’s aim to achieve carbon neutrality, he added.

With this acquisition, Repono continues to expand its European portfolio of grid-scale BESS, with active developments spanning Germany, Romania, Italy, Austria, and Poland.

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Romanian power distributor Electrica to build 15 battery systems totaling 1 GWh

Romanian power supplier and distributor Electrica has initiated a permitting procedure for the construction of 15 battery energy storage parks, with a combined capacity of about 1 GWh, aimed at providing flexibility to the national grid and supporting the integration of renewable energy sources.

The battery energy storage systems (BESS) would boost Electrica’s ability to respond dynamically to fluctuations in consumption and production within the national energy system. It should also enable the efficient integration of growing renewable capacities in Romania, significantly reducing price volatility and dependence on imports, according to a press release from Electrica.

Electrica’s new battery capacity is expected to reduce price volatility and dependence on energy imports

“Developing this 1 GWh storage infrastructure is a strategic pillar in Electrica’s transformation into a leader of the energy transition,” the company said, adding that the battery systems would be built on Electrica’s own land, leveraging assets from its existing portfolio.

“This project is not just about technology or capacity; it is about redefining how Romania manages energy security for the decades ahead,” said Alexandru Chirița, Electrica’s CEO. He also stated that the timeline for the project was “ambitious,” according to the press release.

The BESS capacities will be distributed across Romania

The project, part of Electrica’s 2030 strategy, will be developed in phases, with BESS installations distributed across Romania. The first phase is expected to bring a significant portion of the storage capacity online already in 2025, according to a report by PVknowhow.com.

Battery energy storage is on track to become another pillar of Romania’s energy transition, as investors increasingly develop BESS capacities combined with solar, hydropower, and wind, or as standalone energy storage facilities.

Romania is supporting BESS projects for renewables integration with subsidies provided from its national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP). In September last year, the Ministry of Energy awarded grants to 13 projects.